Decent going

So I started with this years placement process officially. By attending the first PPT. National Instruments. seems to be a good company requiring technical and technical skills only.

Few days back my cellphone stopped speaking. All of a sudden it went completely mute. It took some time before I got chance to get it repaired. But it's no longer dumb!

I'm on list 21. It has been over a month now and still not half way through! That seems daunting. But now choices have dwindled away with time. I have to but study.

The game plan is to finish with barron's list in this month or early(first 5 days) next month. And then start with exhaustive mock test taking, practicing analytical writing and quantitative part.

But you know what happens when there are two deadlines to one task. It is deemed as one in the end. Let's see what happens this time. That was because with the amount of input as I'm giving it seems less realistic to attain the first one. Nevertheless I will have dushehra holidays in between during which I've decided NOT to go home.(not in bold :D )

By the way I am thinking of posting a something which may bring me embarrassment and chaffing but may form a good read. I'm not sure whether I should post it here or not.

And finally

And finally I registered for gre test in exchange of lot of money. Now I am supposed to get more serious about wordlist mugging. 33 more to go! The date is 21 Oct. Not too far. People say that RC (Reading Comprehension) section gave them blues. It is the most tricky one. Need to practice on that.

Our first stipend deposit is awaited. Waiting for the amount. Then register for TOEFL as well. Now that Im doing it I'll do it sincerely. Whatever I may decide but I will not leave any room so as to regret later. It's good to have an offer and reject than trying half-heartedly and getting complacent with the meagre result. So i'll try, instead.

Time to show some sport and get up to challenges. 

Weird

Sometime it feels really weird. And this time it feels like it's sometime. Just because you have to do something and you don't know how to go about it. Or what to do with it. Whatever. It's bit quandary out here. Thinking it over and over again. I need to act promptly.

Go Go Go!!!

Sleep cycle

Its gone all wrong. I used to sleep in mornings. Sleepless nights. It is a bad practice. So in an attempt to mend it I've made worse of it. Yesterday I slept at 10 at night and thought it would be a good change to wake up in the morning. But then I woke up in the mid of night at 2 a.m. after an weird dream. Tried to contemplate but couldn't sleep for next one hour. So I wake up and brush. Study for an hour. Go jogging. Go bathing. Go M.T. Still no sign of sleep. Breakfast at 9. But still no sign. Finally I fall at 11. And played dead till 2.

And guess what. This day same thing repeats. At least till this time of 3:20 a.m. How do i mend it. If there is need to.

My first 5x5x5 solve!

Finally I got to solve 555 completely! With no edge parity. I took help from a video but I did it finally. 5x5x5 can help construct much more conundrums than 3x3x3. After all it has much higher cardinality (total possible configuration) than 3x3x3 Rubiks cube. A total of 2.83 x 10^74. !!!

back on lists

Once again started wordlist and moved on to 13 after a long time. Exam tomorrow. I'll start preparation in the evening.

BTW I had my first class on Wednesday. I took english class in stead of a friend of mine who unfortunately caught jaundice and took a break. It was a nice experience. People were anxious to know things. Not like us sitting like deadpan in class. Most of them of our age group. Next class on Saturday. Maths this time.

I've got hold of a 5x5x5 cube which Im able to solve with two edge pieces reversed or more technically with one edge parity. I need to figure out how to resolve the edge parity. I just need some time for it. May be this weekend.

Our first  installment (of 3 months) of stipend to be posted end of this month. Lots of money. Unsure what to do with these. Earlier planned to buy DSLR camera Nikon D60 kit. Reviews suggest that its a good entry level DSLR with optical anti-shake technology. But now I need bucks for GRE and TOEFL and who knows for applications too. So I've held the idea in abeyance.

All work no play

No squash for now. Not this month. Even after paying 150 bucks. After all the 2 months hitting the ball I was going with a group where all we were supposed to do is ping the ball. 2 bounce and wall. 2 bounce and wall. 2 bounce and wall. How many times? The new racket is like driving a bike as compared to cycling with the old one. Its just that I'm not used to the grip as well as speed of this one. I think I need to hit the shots a lot to fit into this one. But this might happen in near future I fear.

Now the wordlist count has come to halt as shown by the roll count at the top. Most of the time these days goes in a website that Im developing. Struggling with the rusty IE 6 browser which behaves annoyingly and incompatibly with many CSS feature. Why the hell people use such browser. We must declare it sinful to use IE in these modern times.

Next up I'll be talking classes in maths/computer in an organization of our institute which trains people in basic computer, maths and English. Probably after next week or so.

Also mid-sem exam is coming this week. This time its not when-are-exams-starting. Its just when-is-exam. Only one course. [:)]

SPO has started its activity and the season for PPTs and resumes have started. I too will have to go through inevitable and pathetically boring task of making resume. In other words it's self-bragging on MS-word. Buying yourself a black coat suit, long sleeved shirts, black leather shoes and packing yourself in all these. It's all part of the process I'll have to go through in the next few months. Karega bhai karega. Naukri ke liye kuchh bhi karega (Translation: everything to be done for job).

In all these tasks the gre thing got overshadowed. And the will for gre also. Till now I'm not registered. There is no harm in research but the thought of me living out there with once-a-year visit threatens my mind to think in that direction. Let us hope that I have enough thought, reason, courage and will to appear for it. Or not appear for it. Whatever is good. Ohh. By the way does it sound something like 'I Used to Be Indecisive But Now I'm Not So Sure'. Wait, I have a snap of it!

Its birthday time

Its birthday time again.for I have seen 23 17 Augusts in my life. Birthday came and went. Each year. Year by year. And I only grew older. And wiser i must say in usual sense of the word.

Parents visited me this time. Gifts and all was quite nice. Btw I bought myself a gift this time. New Dunlop Blackmax Carbon 520 squash racket. So I finally get rid of the old Aluminum body racket. New one weighs only 140 gms! Although 2006 manufactured it is brand new in usage. It was good to have Rs.1800 discount on it anyway. Reviews suggest that it is specialized in power shots but has a disadvantage too. Its grip is not as per expectation. The rubber is wearing leaving powdered particles in hand which act as lubricant (as we studied in ME461 small particles can act as lubricant) . This forbids a firm grip. Let's hope it settles down quickly otherwise I'll need to change the grip.

No progress on wordlists.

Need to learn web development using ajax/jsp.

61 years hence...

Let's wind our clocks 61 years ago. Imagine the aura that must have prevailed in the new rising country. But as I think of those celebrations it reminds me of the concomitant havoc the treat of independence brought with it for the two daughter countries. Millions faced the blades of millions. Millions displaced. And millions wept for them. The carnage was such that it would shame the cruelest of murderers. 

Yet millions were celebrating. Yet the newspaper headlines read: "One-sixth of human race get independence". Yet Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru became Prime Minister. Yet the Brits claim credit of power transfer. What was transfered? Power? If yes then it got dissipated in the process of transfer. And the dissipated power exploded in the form of violence and hurt very people it was transfered to. 

The celebration of independence was marred by the violence the engulfed millions for most people. But for others the independence meant execution not in British rule but in self-rule, if by any definition there a tint 'rule'. From then year after year people celebrate independence and year by year the marring of celebration is lessened. But for me it always reminds me of the people for whom independence meant death. It brings a bad taste always.

The Brits expulsion from country is many times referred to as Shameful Flight. As for my belief the largest share of this shame should be credited to Mountbatten. The undue celerity he showed in making decisions was the core of it. And if not half then at least partly the shame is shared by Indian leaders who were so hesitant to partition before Mountbatten and just as he stepped in everything seemed running for them. At least they should have foreseen the aftermaths. For Pt. Nehru himself said that: It was difficult to decide the best way of transfer but for what's happening now I can say this was certainly not.

Get busy living

Yes. I've found something to work on. Mugging up wordlists for GRE. Not very interesting though. To much of everybody surprise I'm giving GRE. Everybody is either preparing for CAT or GRE. May be because they want to play safe with an extra option than relying on SPO for placement. And in the times such as now someone getting placed for a job is not a frequently occurring phenomena. So it be. I'll also play safe. At least it keeps me busy.

Squash coaching started this Wednesday. And this time in the morning 7 A.M. Now that means getting up early morning. Implies sleeping early at night. Implies very difficult thing to be regular.

Thesis is dull as used it used to be and with only three lectures a week I'm left with affluence to prepare for GRE. Doing one wordlist per day is not bad. Whole 50 in 50 days. Sounds good.

By the way I'm reminded of a considerable achievement of mine. Into fifth year of stay at IITK and still alive! That's not a certain event. Statistically speaking that's not 100% probable event. Unfortunately in last 4 years seven unfortunate people have failed to do so. All of them chose to end it rather. A few others attempted but couldn't succeed. A most recent attempt came few days before. What a pity of this institute and what a sad end to those so-called cream-of-the nation. And what bad name it brings to institute. But authorities still shamelessly lying in everyone's face.

Worrying works

Worrying works! 90 percent of things I worry never happen!

zoke

Happy new month!

Its  August baby. Month of independence day and month of Birthday. That is my birth day. And my sister's and my friends'. Rakhi in the same month. And yes today is friendship day also. Happy friendship day to all. I'll look to make more and more friends and less and less enemies.

Also this seems to be month of idleness. Earlier in first 4 years of my graduation it was loads of courses. Always pinned between deadlines. Extra stress. Lots to do. But now its only one course and thesis work which is not so heavy. There is lots of free time. Im not getting ways to kill time. Just wasting it away.

I need something consuming. Something to work on. By sitting free I'm growing degenerate. I'm doing nothing but aging. This day I was thinking that I should start preparing for something. May be GRE or CAT. GRE seems a better option. But a bit costly. CAT will take nowhere but management. I do not want to close the option of working in my field for which I have dedicated 5 invaluable years of my life. I don't want to waste it.

Im onto it again. Im spoilt again. Im awake late nights. No getting early. Its getting more and more difficult to take that routine back. New hostel hall-9 is boring and remotely located in the campus. Village hostel of IITK.

From last few days i caught bad cold. I think I will need medicine now to recover.

Exploring my hometown

I've been living in my town since I was in 4th class. I'm not in a mood to count now but still that's too much of time. There were so many incredible places near me unknown two me. Thanks to two of my friends who wished to see Allahabad and visited me a week ago. Revisiting planetarium after 15 years or so it was like visiting memory lanes. Watching Swaraj Bhawan museum as adults was more meaningful. I discovered Yamuna ghats which were more than good and worth visit. And the sunset at Sangam point was enchanting. The color and mix of sky was just wonderful!



Not to mention that I have a thing for clouds. I used to have a dusk-phobia earlier in my life. I couldn't bear dusk time outside roof specially in city crowd. I still remember the haunting image of December sky when I used to return from a coaching class in my high school days. Then there was psychological renaissance and I became admirer of the beautiful clouds. Colourful skies and there varied shapes too.

Back home

I’m back home enjoying a 1 week break. Now being a master’s student it’s not as easy to get a week’s break as it has been earlier. Get your leave application approved by your supervisor and submit it in department office. Only limited number of leaves available at disposal. On 15th I travelled to Lucknow (less than 100km away from IITK). Then along with my sister we came to our home town the same day. At home mamma is doing excellently well in her health. Her doctor recommended to stop taking medics. What better than this can happen.

Life is treating me good these days. Last 2-3 days were spent with friends who were visiting my place. Driving half the day in the city and around the city. I drove something like 60 km in 2 days.

Eating Mom made food and sitting back idle at home feels so good to me. Having mangos daily is yummy. I love em! But alas only 2 more days to go. :( Will be back by 23rd. All things must pass.

Misty

Just when I decided that I will write a confession something happened. Something happened and saved me the foolishness. I was thinking from quite a while. I was about to. It was on my fingertips ready to strike the keyboard. But then it changed. I went back. I got to state of uncertainty again. It's misty out here I can't see. I know what I want to see. But knowing is not enough. Still can't see. I'll wait for the mist to clear. Then it will come out. Everybody wait for the mist.

Lost in the world

There was a peahen roaming around in the lovely weather after the rain. She was accompanied by her three roaming peachicks. Two of them were quick and followed there mother.One was quite dumber and got left behind. He (lets suppose 'he'. I'm not anti-feminist if not feminist and I don't want to use 'it') was left behind and lost his mother. He was left behind in the race for survival.

We saw this baby lost in the world he doesn't knew. It was crying like you would cry if you were lost. Yes, it was not a human cry but it was filled the emotion you would carry. It must be the same feeling. Because the feeling does not know which species it is felt by. If we can't listen to his feelings then, well, I must say, its only our limitation. After all we are just humans. Nothing more.

Free time

With large part of the so called summer term of M.Tech. thesis finished I'm on another movie watching spree. Frequency of watching movie is on high. Three in a row from this morning. Two yesterday. That's quite too much for me.

Lots of news watch. The 3 favorite sites being hindu, bbc's S. Asia and IBNlive.

Fed has done it! He won Wimbildon for 6th time and record 15th time a grand slam. He says the excitment kept him from sleeming that night. Toast for the big man. King of his era. Now the only thing that will make him bigger and undisputed all time best is a win against Nadal. Lets wait and watch.

The new budget presented by Congress govt. allots around 500 cr rupees for RnD in scince and technology in India. And just for the sake of facts its nearly one-fourth of the budhed of Harvard.

Getting with the squash sessions. As for now I don't seem to gain any special skills as to what I was 2 months ago in the game. From few days I've been struggling with the backhand. I remember last semester when I used to practice lone I once came so close that backhand seemed more natural than forehand. But that's gone. Seems I need to practice on myh own. That's the best way. But these days we are into full court game during sessions so it's quite fun. To play with 2 people on court.

I've been also reading history books a few. History of Europe and the Indian history as well. I read to learn that I forgot many things from Indian history. Oh what a sin! Now is the redemption time!

I need anti-sleeping pills

Where do we get them. Im sleeping too much. There are many sleeping pills in the market. I wonder why they never worked on anti-sleeping pills. It seems reading and sleeping have ancestral enmity. Both of them ever-hostile to each other. As soon as I start to read a journal I'm down. I have a big task ahead. I have to read 7 papers till 5th July and summarize them too. If that is to be completed then only with the help of non-existent anti-sleeping pills.